Only 52% of Israeli teenagersenlist in the IDF, down from 2002â€™s 59%; 43% of religious girls do not enter the army at all. 16% of those serve for just one year. There is a clear rise in the number claiming a religious exemption. (YNet)

A look at the difficulties that IDF soldiers have in the psychological transition from military service to civilian life. (Jerusalem Post)

The number of yeshiva students whose army service has been put on hold because they have declared Torah study as their occupation rose more than 10% over just last year. Once they hit age 26, the IDF no longer wants them. (Haaretz)

Rachel Papo has put out a book of photographs of female IDF soldiers, but reviewer Joshua Cohen is distinctly uncomfortable with the result. Includes photos. (Forward)

Reuven Pedatzur reports that it has become impossible to cut the IDF budget, or even to get a normal level of accountability and accuracy for the figures. (Haaretz)

The IDF has decided to draft celiac sufferers for mandatory military service. Recruits will â€œserve on closed bases and receive gluten-free catering. At open bases, they will get an allowance to buy gluten-free food.â€? (Haaretz)

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